'Govt must pay attention to museums'<\/p>\n
Many museums here are lonely, neglected places, attracting few
\nvisitors and sparking very little interest in the country's
\nhistory. The Jakarta Post spoke with several people about the
\nissue.<\/p>\n
Nanang, 35, is a history teacher at the Global Jaya school in
\nBintaro, Tangerang. He lives nearby with his wife and three
\nchildren:<\/p>\n
The truth is I'm not interested in visiting museums here even
\nthough I am a history teacher. Sounds weird, right?<\/p>\n
This is because there is no attraction from an academic point
\nof view, as museums here have limited and outdated collections
\nand information.<\/p>\n
If we want to study history, we can access information from
\nthe internet or books. So there is no additional value in going
\nto museums.<\/p>\n
If museums here were livelier and more colorful, they would
\nattract more visitors.<\/p>\n
When I was in Australia, I visited a museum there and I was
\nable to enjoy the atmosphere. The displays were very well
\norganized and visitors could learn something.<\/p>\n
Here, the collections in museums are just like knickknacks in
\nsomebody's house.<\/p>\n
If the government made improving museums a priority, I'm sure
\nthey would become attractive tourist sites. The government must
\npay more attention to museums or cooperate with the private
\nsector to run the museums.<\/p>\n
Tedjo, 32, works for an international organization in Central
\nJakarta. He lives in Kayu Jati, East Jakarta, with his wife and
\ndaughter:<\/p>\n
I used to go to museums in my hometown Surakarta (Central
\nJava), and I learned a lot from the collections. I loved the
\natmosphere.<\/p>\n
But when I moved to Jakarta, I lost interest. Trying to get by
\nforced me to focus only on financial matters. Jakarta is not the
\nplace to learn about culture; it's only good for making money.<\/p>\n
I prefer to go to Ancol or somewhere else that is more
\nentertaining when I have some free time. Museums in the capital
\nlook gloomy and they put people off.<\/p>\n
Maybe the government should renovate the museums or relocated
\nthem near places like shopping centers to get more visitors.<\/p>\n
I guess I'll have to visit museums again when my daughter
\nstarts school.<\/p>\n
Marzuki, 40, lives in Kemanggisan, West Jakarta, with his wife
\nand two children. He was walking past the National Museum in
\nCentral Jakarta:<\/p>\n
I have no idea if I'm interested in visiting museums. I don't
\nhave any reason to visit them.<\/p>\n
Most museum buildings were built during the colonial era and
\nthey look dull and uninteresting.<\/p>\n
I imagine I'd find nothing inside but antiquities. It would
\nprobably feel like going to a haunted house.<\/p>\n
I prefer to go to the zoo. Maybe someday I will have an
\ninterest in visiting a museum.<\/p>\n
-- Leo Wahyudi S.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/govt-must-pay-attention-to-museums-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }